Frost dates for 28405Wilmington, NC
The average last spring frost in Wilmington is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 4 | Nov 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 2 · Mar 23 | Nov 14 · Dec 3 · Jan 1 | 278 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wilmington
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28405 is matched to the NOAA station Wilmington Intl Ap, NC, 3 km away, at 33 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Intl Ap, NC (used) | 33 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
| Wilmington 7 N, NC | 40 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| Wilmington 7 Se, NC | 30 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 15 |
| Moores Creek Nb, NC | 22 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Wilmington
- Wilmington, NC 28403 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Castle Hayne, NC 28429 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Leland, NC 28451 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Rocky Point, NC 28457 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Winnabow, NC 28479 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Hampstead, NC 28443 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Carolina Beach, NC 28428 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wilmington, NC?
- For ZIP code 28405, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wilmington Intl Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Wilmington, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28405?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.